Djokovic: Nadal is best player this year

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic says No. 3 Rafael Nadal has been the world's best player this year. The Spaniard missed the first month of the season due to a knee injury, but since that time has won eight titles, including his eighth Roland Garros crown and four Masters 1000 titles.

Nadal, who beat Djokovic in last Sunday's Montreal semifinals, leads the ATP points race with 8,010, which is 1,420 points more than Djokovic.

"Rafa since he's come back has been the best player in the world, no question about it," Djokovic told ESPN television. "I think he's more aggressive. [In Montreal] he was very aggressive, stepping in, [showing] variety in the game, but it was still a very close match.”